Course Description

Having a disability in an able-bodied world presents many obstacles, and the resulting frustration often discourages differently-abled individuals from participation in many activities. The same holds for library services. Often, there are embedded virtual, social, and architectural obstacles founds throughout libraries which prevent disabled patrons from equitable access to library services.

"Beyond Compliance" is a unique course designed to address the virtual and media-related obstacles disabled patrons encounter while accessing library services. Virtual and media-related obstacles are defined as inherent features in an informational medium that prevent equitable access to information. And given the lack of awareness about these issues, it is necessary begin the dialogue about how to resolve these problems.

This four-week course will include weekly assigned readings and short assignments, weekly optional chats, and discussion prompts. Students will take away practical advice on creating equitable access to library services and instruction.

Course Topics:

Part I: Importance of Accessibility

Part II: Affected Populations & Associated Challenges

Blind & Low Vision Patrons

Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing (HoH) Patrons

Mobility-Impaired Patrons

Nature of Challenges

Part III: What are Electronic and Media-Related Barriers?

Definitions

Examples

Part IV: Recommended Solutions

Examples

Challenges to Implementation

Part V: Legislation (and Ethics)

Overview of Legislation

Current Legal Issues & Electronic Accessibility

Ethics vs. Legalities

Part VI: Planning to Improve Electronic Accessibility

Commit to Improvement

Steps to Undertake

Assessment/Audit

Outline Everyone who is Involved: Who, What, Where, When…and Why/

Establish Budget & Timeline

Create an Assessment Component

Part VII: Further Resources

Out of Money? Think Outside of the Box
Recommended Resources

Course Format

The course will be conducted in Moodle, with the exception of the live presentations which will be conducted using GoTo Webinar.

Instructor

Rebecca M. Marrall is the Diversity Resident Librarian at Western Washington University, located in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. Her professional interests revolve around diversity-related issues, library instruction, and accessibility in academic libraries. Though Rebecca originally hails from Oregon, she earned her Master’s in Library & Information Science at the University of Hawai’i. Prior to her time in Hawai’i, Rebecca completed a Bachelors of Science in Anthropology at Portland State University. She very much enjoys being in the Northwest again, but does miss the fabulous weather in Hawai’i.

Registration Information

Registration limit for each session: 30

Registrations for this session will no longer be accepted once the 30 student limit is reached.